Jīvo Jīvasya Jīvanam - One Living Being as Food for Another
In the material world, the struggle for existence is governed by a fundamental law of nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda often cites the sūtra from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.13.47), jīvo jīvasya jīvanam, which states that one living entity is the food for another. While this principle describes the mechanical reality of biological life, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the human form of life is specifically meant for transcending this cycle of violence through discrimination and devotion to Kṛṣṇa.
Universal Law of Nature
The material world is designed such that every living being must eat to survive, and that food inevitably comes from another life form. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this is not an unnatural occurrence but a system established by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Whether it is a small insect, an ant, or a giant whale, every creature is bound by this law of subsistence. This universal struggle for existence demonstrates that every entity has the same basic tendencies for survival.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead has created the material world in such a way that one living entity is food for another.
- Jivo jivasya jivanam (SB 1.13.47): "One living entity is the subsistence, life-giving subsistence, for another living being." That is the nature's law.
- A small insects, they are also enjoying eating, sleeping, mating. A small, very small ant is captured. Jivo jivasya jivanam. One life is meant for being eaten by another life. You can see, might be very small, he has got all the same tendencies.
- This is struggle for existence. Jivo jivasya jivanam.
Biological Hierarchy and the Food Chain
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam details the specific hierarchy of how living beings serve as food for one another. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this as the "weaker section serving the stronger section." Animals with hands prey upon those without hands, and four-legged animals prey upon those that are immobile or have no legs. This biological chain extends into the water as well, where the giant timingila fish swallows whales, and larger fish swallow smaller ones, illustrating the hierarchical nature of the material energy.
- Those who are devoid of hands are prey for those who have hands; those devoid of legs are prey for the four-legged. The weak are the subsistence of the strong, and the general rule holds that one living being is food for another.
- The superior animal is eating the inferior animal, jivo jivasya jivanam (SB 1.13.47). Big snake is eating small snake. There is a verse in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, apadanam catus-padam.
- We get information from sastra, there is a fish which is called timingala which swallows big, big whales, just like big fish swallows a small fish. This is struggle for existence. Jivo jivasya jivanam. Phalguni mahatam tatra jivo jivasya jivanam.
- In Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated, jivo jivasya jivanam: "One living entity is food for another." (SB 1.13.47) Animals without hands are food for animals with hands, such as ourselves. Animals with no legs are food for animals with four legs.
Human Discrimination and Discretion
While the law of jīvo jīvasya jīvanam applies to all, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that humans must not act simply like animals. Animals do not have the discretion to choose between different types of food; they act solely on instinct. Humans, however, must use their intelligence to follow scriptural guidelines. Though plants are also living entities, humans are meant to subsist on fruits, vegetables, grains, and milk, which are provided by nature for their sustenance and spiritual elevation.
- Although it is nature's law that one has to live by eating other living entities (jivo jivasya jivanam), one must use discretion. Fruits, flowers, vegetables, rice, grain and milk are made for human beings.
- In all scriptures it is stated that man should live on fruits and vegetables. Their teeth are made in that way. They can eat very easily and digest. Although jivo jivasya jivanam (SB 1.13.47): one has to live by eating another living entity.
- One living entity is the food for another living entity. That is lower-grade life. In the higher-grade life, no, they cannot kill anyone for eating purposes. Therefore in the Bible the First Commandment is - Thou shall not kill.
- One living entity is the food for another living entity. So when a person eats another living entity, it is not unnatural. This is nature's law. But when you come to the human form of living entity, you must use your discrimination.
Beyond Vegetarianism: The Higher Purpose
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not merely about promoting vegetarianism, as even many animals are vegetarians. The real focus is on recognizing the Lord's ownership and minimizing violence. In the human form of life, one should only commit violence—such as picking a fruit or grain—as much as necessary for survival and only as an offering to God. By rising above the "uncivilized" state of unnecessary animal killing, a human being fulfills the real purpose of existence.
- We are not preaching this vegetarianism. Just like there are Jains or many other religious system, Buddhism. They are after making people vegetarian. But the law of nature is that one living entity is the food for another living entity.
- Jivo jivasya jivanam: one living entity is the life for another living entity. But for a human being, that violence should be committed only as much as necessary.
- The uncivilized man's standard of life is better than the animal life. Nunam mahatam tatra jivo jivasya jivanam (SB 1.13.47). The uncivilized man, they cannot produce food; therefore they kill animal.
- Even in the animal kingdom there are different kinds of animals, they do not touch meat-eating even. They do not touch. Every . . . every animal has to live by destroying or killing another animal. That is nature's law. Jivo jivasya jivanam.
Conclusion
The principle of jīvo jīvasya jīvanam serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of material existence. While the struggle for existence is a universal law of nature, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that humans are meant to rise above the level of the "strong eating the weak." By using our discrimination and choosing foods that facilitate spiritual growth, we can transcend the cycle of violence. Ultimately, the realization that everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa allows the human being to live in harmony with the laws of God, turning the act of eating from a material necessity into a spiritual offering.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Jivo Jivasya Jivanam - One Living Being is Food for Another. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.